Neurodivergent Narratives - Writing Prompt #20

“And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good.” —John Steinbeck

I’m turning 52 this week, and I’ll be celebrating in a pretty unforgettable way—by giving my first TEDx Talk in Tamworth, UK! I can’t think of a better birthday gift to myself than standing on that red dot and sharing something I believe in with my whole heart: If we care about autistic people's health and well-being, we must stop trying to fix them and start celebrating autism as a culture.

It’s taken me a long time to get here—to this place where I feel confident enough to stand in front of an audience and say, “Autism isn’t a disorder; it’s a culture.” And honestly? Writing played a huge role in getting me to this point. Writing is where I first started to process my experiences, to untangle the messages I’d absorbed about being "too much" or "not enough," and to find the language to advocate for myself and my community. Writing helped me realize that my voice—our voices—matter.

That’s why I believe it’s so important for every Autistic person who wants to write to do it. Our voices are needed. Whether it's journaling, storytelling, poetry, or nonfiction, writing has the power to change not only how others see us but how we see ourselves.

Right now, I’m knee-deep in memorizing my talk, but I’m already looking forward to sharing the TEDx video with you all when it comes out this summer. Until then, I hope you’ll keep writing, keep sharing, and keep celebrating what it means to be Autistic.

And if you want a supportive space to build your confidence as a writer, Neurodivergent Narratives is here for you. Because your story? It’s worth telling.

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